Bachelor of Politics

Summary

Best placed for politics—learn about political systems and policy-making processes in the city where change is made

Best placed for politics—learn about political systems and policy-making processes in the city where change is made.

Study politics where it happens

Study Aotearoa New Zealand’s only Bachelor of Politics right here in Wellington—the heart of the nation’s political life. This unique degree combines big-picture thinking with real-world skills, preparing you to understand and influence the decisions that shape our society. In the Bachelor of Politics, you’ll explore how power, governance, and justice shape our society—while developing the tools to influence them. With six majors, three specialisations, and 11 minors to choose from, you can tailor your study to match your passions and career goals. The BPols prepares you for a future of leadership and innovation. Whether you’re aiming to shape policy, work in international relations, or drive change in your community, this degree gives you the interdisciplinary foundation and practical experience to make a difference—here in Aotearoa and beyond.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Gain perspective on Te Tiriti

At the core of the BPols is a commitment to understanding our nation’s political landscape through both Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti perspectives. Through your studies, you’ll be introduced to mātauranga Māori and gain a solid understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi—essential for anybody working in Aotearoa New Zealand’s public sector.

Wellington offers more than just a backdrop—it’s your extended classroom. Here, in the heart of national politics, you’ll have unique access to government institutions, NGOs, international organisations, and a vibrant political community. You can meet Members of Parliament at your lectures, attend Parliament events, and intern with groups working for social change.

Your first year

In your first year of the BPols, you’ll complete the following core courses:

• a core Politics course—Introduction to Politics (POLI 101)
• a Māori Studies course—Engaging with Māori in Professional Practice (MAOR 126)
• a Political Science course
• an International Relations course.

These compulsory courses give you a solid foundation on which you can build your chosen majors and interdisciplinary minors. You’ll also take courses from at least one [major] and at least one [minor].

If you are not taking the Politics, Philosophy, and Economics major, you’ll have the opportunity to take two additional courses that can count toward an outside major or minor.

Globally ranked

This subject area at Victoria University of Wellington is ranked in the top 150 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.

Majors and specialisations

In your Bachelor of Politics, you can choose from six diverse majors—two of which have optional [specialisations].

BPols majors

• International Relations (with an optional specialisation in International Security)
• Political Communication
• Political Science (with optional specialisations in Comparative Politics or Political Ideas)
• Politics of Aotearoa New Zealand
• Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
• Public Policy.

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Minors

A minor is made up of a collection of courses in a particular subject. The workload for a minor is lighter than for a major—fewer courses to do, fewer points required. This makes a minor a good way to build a second or third area of focus into your degree.

There are 11 minors in the BPols:

• Asian Politics
• Civic Engagement
• Environmental Politics
• International Political Economy
• Māori Politics
• Pacific Politics
• Politics of Aotearoa New Zealand
• Politics of Migration
• Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
• Science and Politics
• Human Rights, Justice, and Peace.

Find out more about the course requirements for Minors in the BPols.

Bachelor of Politics versus Bachelor of Arts

An alternative way to study Politics at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is through a Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Political Science. A BA could be a good choice for you if you want to mix...